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6 Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention for Dry Socket

By: Emily Lockhart on Thursday, September 8th

Having dental work done is painful enough, but if you must have a tooth extracted, you may be in for a world of pain better known as alveolar osteitis, or dry sockets.

According to WebMD.com only 5-percent of individuals develop dry socket after having a tooth pulled. Thankfully (you can stop holding your mouth now), this uncomfortable condition can be treated…

1. What Causes Dry Socket?

When a tooth is removed a blood clot will naturally form in the hole in the bone left behind in the days following extraction. The blood clot forms as a means of protection to the nerves and bone underneath, and allow for healing to take place.

However, if the blood clot disappears (or becomes dislodged), dry socket can occur when the the nerves and bone are suddenly exposed to all sorts of painful irritants, including food, fluids, and even air. Unfortunately, dry socket also leaves the area of extraction prone to awful pain and infection.

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